NR 442 Week 6 Natural & Man-Made Disasters Overview
Student Name
Chamberlain University
NR-442 Community Health Nursing
Prof. Name
Date
NR 442 Week 6 Natural & Man-Made Disasters Overview
Natural and man-made disasters present significant challenges for communities, especially for vulnerable populations such as older adults, individuals with chronic illnesses, children, persons with disabilities, and those with limited access to healthcare resources. A disaster occurs when the level of damage exceeds a community’s capacity to manage the event without outside assistance.
Disasters are categorized by their scope and the number of casualties:
- Mass casualty events involve 100 or more individuals.
- Multiple casualty events involve between 2 and 99 individuals.
Within these events, victims may be classified as:
- Direct victims: Those directly impacted by the disaster.
- Indirect victims: Individuals affected by the disaster through loss, disruption, or secondary effects.
- Displaced persons: People forced to leave their homes but remain within their country.
- Refugees: Persons who cross international borders due to disaster or conflict.
Types of Disasters
- Natural disasters: Weather-related events (e.g., hurricanes, floods), earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and infectious disease outbreaks.
- Man-made disasters: Acts such as armed conflicts, structural failures, industrial accidents, riots, pollution, and terrorism.
- Combination disasters: NA-TECH (natural/technological) disasters occur when a natural event triggers a widespread technological hazard, such as an earthquake causing chemical spills.
Characteristics of Disasters
| Characteristic | Description |
|---|---|
| Frequency | The rate at which a disaster occurs in a given region. |
| Predictability | The ability to forecast the likelihood and timing of a disaster. |
| Mitigation | Measures taken to reduce the potential loss of life and property. |
| Imminence | The speed of onset and expected duration of the incident. |
| Scope | The geographical and population range impacted by the disaster. |
| Number of Casualties | Total individuals affected, injured, or deceased. |
| Intensity | The level of destruction and disruption caused by the event. |
Two important planning tools in disaster preparedness include:
- Risk map: A geographic representation of hazards likely to occur in a specific area.
- Resource map: A geographic representation showing available emergency response resources.
Disaster Management
Effective disaster management requires interdisciplinary collaboration among governmental and non-governmental agencies, first responders, and community stakeholders. Planning in advance ensures:
- Rapid, organized response.
- Clearly defined roles and responsibilities for all agencies, both official and volunteer-based.
- Efficient allocation of resources during an emergency.
Government Responsibilities in Disaster Management
Local Government Responsibilities
Local governments serve as the first line of defense during emergencies. They:
- Prepare citizens through education and public drills.
- Operate through an Office of Emergency Management (OEM).
- Conduct simulation exercises to improve readiness.
State Government Responsibilities
State governments support local authorities by:
- Assisting in the development of emergency plans.
- Offering workshops and training courses for emergency responders.
- Providing advice and resources to enhance local readiness.
- Operating under the National Response Framework, the core operational plan for domestic incident management.
Federal Government Responsibilities
At the national level, several key agencies lead disaster management:
| Agency | Role |
|---|---|
| U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) | Prevents terrorism, coordinates national resilience efforts. |
| Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) | Assists citizens and first responders; develops capacity to prepare for, respond to, and recover from hazards; strengthened post-Hurricane Katrina (2005). |
| Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) | Provides disease surveillance; ensures safety of water, food, shelter, and healthcare in disaster zones. |
FEMA also developed the Are You Ready? guide for citizens, emphasizing preparation, practice, and maintenance of emergency plans.
Public Health System and Disaster Response
The public health system comprises governmental and non-governmental organizations that work to improve population health before, during, and after disasters.
The American Red Cross, a congressionally chartered non-profit, plays a vital role by:
- Providing education on preparedness.
- Offering immediate disaster relief.
- Supporting both affected populations and disaster relief workers.
Stages of Disaster Management
Prevention
- Identify potential risks (create risk maps).
- Educate communities about preparedness at individual, family, and community levels.
- Develop response strategies and resource maps.
Preparedness/Planning
- Train individuals in first aid.
- Prepare emergency kits.
- Establish family meeting points and communication plans.
- Determine authority chains, communication strategies, evacuation routes, and rescue procedures.
Response
- Activated immediately after a disaster strikes.
- Actions include:
- Shelter-in-place orders.
- Evacuation and search-and-rescue operations.
- Establishing triage and staging areas.
- Disaster triage follows the principle of “the greatest good for the greatest number in the shortest time.”
Recovery
- Begins once immediate danger has passed.
- Involves all levels of government to:
- Help victims rebuild their lives.
- Restore essential services.
- Repair damage.
- Evaluate and revise disaster plans.
- Addresses long-term financial and psychological impacts.
Community Responses to a Disaster
Communities typically progress through four phases following a disaster:
| Phase | Description |
|---|---|
| Heroic | Individuals and groups focus on helping others, often with great altruism. |
| Honeymoon | Survivors bond through shared experiences, express gratitude, and recount events. |
| Disillusionment | Fatigue, frustration, and despair may set in as recovery proves challenging. |
| Reconstitution | Communities gradually rebuild and return to normal functioning. |
Common psychological effects include post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression
Triage Systems
START – Simple Triage And Rapid Treatment
| Tag Color | Priority Level | Criteria |
|---|---|---|
| Red – Immediate | Life-threatening injuries requiring urgent attention | Respiratory rate >30/min, no airway, capillary refill >2 sec, unable to follow commands |
| Yellow – Delayed | Serious but stable injuries | Respiratory rate <30/min, airway intact, capillary refill <2 sec, can follow commands |
| Green – Minor | “Walking wounded” | Ambulatory, minor injuries |
| Black – Expectant/Deceased | No signs of life or injuries incompatible with survival | No care provided |
NR 442 Week 6 Natural & Man-Made Disasters Overview
One-minute RPM assessment rule:
- Respirations: 30/min limit.
- Perfusion: radial pulse present or cap refill ≤2 seconds.
- Mental status: able to follow simple commands (“30 & 2 CAN DO”).
SALT – Sort, Assess, Lifesaving Interventions, Treatment/Transport
- Prioritize scene safety.
- Remember: “Don’t become victim number two.”
References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020). Public health preparedness capabilities: National standards for state and local planning. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Federal Emergency Management Agency. (2021). Are you ready? An in-depth guide to citizen preparedness. U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
NR 442 Week 6 Natural & Man-Made Disasters Overview
Rebmann, T., & Walsh, L. (2020). Disaster preparedness and response in public health nursing. Public Health Nursing, 37(1), 3–11. https://doi.org/10.1111/phn.12700
U.S. Department of Homeland Security. (2019). National response framework (4th ed.).